Gabapentin oral capsule can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking gabapentin. This list does not include all possible side effects. For postherpetic neuralgia, it seems to prevent the increase in sensitivity to pain that occurs. For seizures, it may alter the effect of calcium (low calcium levels may cause seizures).
Read the full prescription information leaflet that comes with your medication. Never hesitate to ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions about gabapentin. Gabapentin extended-release tablets cannot be substituted for another type of gabapentin product.
Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Gabapentin may cause slow and shallow breathing, especially if you have breathing problems from another condition or take other medicines that can slow your breathing.
Treatment
As the oral liquid must be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator. Gabapentin may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people. If you are about to harm yourself, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Never stop taking gabapentin without talking to your healthcare provider first. Also, never change your dose without talking to your provider first. Gabapentin is approved to prevent and control partial seizures, relieve postherpetic neuralgia after shingles and moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome. Learn what side effects to watch for, drugs to avoid while taking gabapentin, how to take gabapentin and other important questions and answers. Gabapentin is available in both branded and generic forms.
It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed, even after stopping the medicine. If you, your child, or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away. Gabapentin may cause vision changes, clumsiness, unsteadiness, dizziness, drowsiness, sleepiness, or trouble with thinking.
Does gabapentin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
- This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
- When used with gabapentin, opioids can cause dangerous effects in the body.
- Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.
- This will help them determine if gabapentin is right for you.
Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor. This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment.
Other Interactions
- Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
- If that does not work, your doctor may suggest a different medicine.
- Gabapentin can cause allergic reactions, including DRESS, which can be serious.
- Stop taking gabapentin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- While this medication may be prescribed for children as young as 3 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
This medication may cause accidental overdose and death if taken by other adults, children, or pets. Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time. If you are directed to break the 600 or 800 mg tablets in half as part of your dose, the extra half tablet should be used for the next dose.
Always follow the instructions given by your healthcare provider, and take the specific medicine prescribed to you. Gabapentin may cause dizziness and sleepiness and can impair your ability to safely drive. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination like operating heavy machinery until you know how gabapentin affects you. How long gabapentin may impair your ability to drive is unknown.
Drug Interactions
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed for children as young as 3 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply. The exact way that gabapentin works for nerve pain or seizures is unknown. Gabapentin may block certain signals from nerves. Seizures are caused by electrical activity in the brain that is not normal.
Is gabapentin a narcotic or controlled substance?
You may report side effects to the FDA at FDA-1088. Do not stop using gabapentin without checking with your doctor. Stopping the medicine suddenly may increase the risk for seizures. Your doctor may want you or your child to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely. This medicine may cause respiratory depression, a serious breathing problem that can be life-threatening, when used together with narcotic pain medicines. Check with your doctor right away if you have pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin, difficult or trouble breathing, or irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing.
Also, talk with your doctor if you are having thoughts of self-harm, including thoughts of suicide. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs. Gabapentin may be used as part of a combination therapy.
Health topics
Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms have been reported since the drug was approved. However, the individuals in these reports experienced symptoms after discontinuing higher-than-recommended doses of gabapentin and for uses for which the drug was not approved. It’s unknown if gabapentin can harm your unborn baby. For this reason, talk to your healthcare provider as soon as you know you are pregnant. You and your healthcare provider will determine if you should take gabapentin during your pregnancy or change to a different medication. Inform your providers of all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter, as well as supplements, vitamins and herbal products.
If you have not used the extra half tablet within 28 days, it should be thrown away. There are no known interactions between gabapentin and foods or drinks. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding gabapentin oral uses and side effects or plan to breastfeed.
Check with your medical doctor or dentist before taking any of the above while you or your child are using gabapentin. If you forget to take a dose of gabapentin, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s just a few hours before it’s time to take your next dose, take only one dose. Never take more than one dose in an attempt to catch up.